intestate succession

noun | \ sək-ˈse-shən \ | suc·ces·sion

1. a : the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, position, title, or throne the sequence of succession to the presidency

   b : the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another documents…that all aim to prepare your company for its new owner's succession —Saul Berkowitz

   c : the line of ancestry having such a right

2. a : the act or process of following in order

   b : the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both

3. : the act or process by which a person becomes entitled to the property or property interest of a deceased person and especially an intestate : the transmission of the estate of a decedent to his or her heirs, legatees, or devisees; also : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities —used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities —used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana

   — intestate succession
   : the transmission of property or property interests of a decedent as provided by statute as distinguished from the transfer in accordance with the decedent's will; also : the operation of such statutory provisions in transmitting intestate property would take the property by intestate succession in the civil law of Louisiana : property that is not disposed of by will but by operation of statute who presents himself to claim an intestate succession —Louisiana Civil Code

   — testate succession
   : the transmission of property in accordance with a valid will

   — vacant succession
   in the civil law of Louisiana : an estate that has not been claimed, of which the heirs are unknown, or that has been renounced by all of the heirs

4. a : the continuance of a corporation's status as a legal person perpetual corporate succession

   b : the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another documents…that all aim to prepare your company for its new owner's succession —Saul Berkowitz

5. : the act or process by which one state takes over or follows upon another and becomes entitled to its rights and position in international law